Inverness Caledonian Thistle

•1 January 1970

Inverness Caledonian Thistle slideshow

Scottish clubs set national charity records, with SPFL now 'fourth most community-focused league in the world'

Scottish football has not been at the top table of international competition for 20 years – hence the SFA’s urgent desire to find a manager with the Midas touch – but the country’s clubs have never been more successful at providing aid to charities and worthy causes in their communities. Independent research commissioned by the Scottish Professional Football League has revealed that 770,000 local people – an annual increase of over 60,000 - have been engaged in community initiatives involving all 42 league clubs. The research also found that season ticket holders were well served by making a commitment to back their team throughout the campaign. Headline figures show that clubs engaged with approximately 772,000 people via community activity in season 2016/17, many supported by programmes run and organised by the SPFL Trust, the charitable arm of the league. Around 86 per cent of all clubs provide free tickets to matches for community groups, charities and other worthy causes, with an estimated total of 84,000 donated last season. The number of clubs offering free admission to children has risen to 62 per cent, up 5 per cent on last year’s figure. The average maximum saving for supporters across all four divisions buying a 2017/18 season ticket is £96.20, when compared with paying at the gate. Attendance figures also told an encouraging story, with total crowds for the four Ladbrokes divisions exceeding four million in season 2016/17, a 12 per cent increase year on year, while almost a quarter of a million supporters attended the first two matches of the 2017/18 season to set a new record for the SPFL. Nicky Reid, chief executive of the SPFL Trust, said: “The recent Responsiball annual report now places the SPFL as the fourth most community-focused league in the world, based on their analysis of the 25 biggest national competitions. “A rise of three places year on year, shows that this is an area of significant strength and opportunity for Scottish football. In the past year, the SPFL Trust and our clubs have been trusted to work on projects funded by the Scottish Government, Big Lottery Fund, Erasmus, Scottish Water, Kinder+Sport, and the SPFL itself amongst others. “Our Trusted Trophy Tour also visited more than 20 clubs and demonstrated the power that football has for good across a wide range of projects. Trust is hard-earned and we all accept the responsibilities that come with that, but the direction of travel is extremely positive.” The SFA, meanwhile, announced that its Elite club football academies are Aberdeen, Celtic, Hamilton, Heart of Midlothian, Hibernian, Kilmarnock, Motherwell and Rangers. The second-tier Progressive grade consists of Ayr United, Dundee United, Forth Valley, Inverness Caledonian Thistle, Partick Thistle, Ross County,St Mirren and St Johnstone. The third-tier Progressive level academies are Dundee, Fife, Greenock Morton and Queen’s Park. Scottish FA Performance Director Malky Mackay said: “What I would like to stress is that the bandings are not fixed and they will be reassessed in June 2018. No door is closed to clubs outside of the Elite bracket with aspirations to move up.”

Inverness Caledonian Thistle manager John Robertson was left furious after his side lost 20-5 to a team of kids. Inverness' pre-season evidently has not gone as well as previously thought and Robertson admits his side have a lot to work on if they are to be ready for the upcoming 2017-18 season. ]]>📺

Inverness Caledonian Thistle manager John Robertson was left furious after his side lost 20-5 to a team of kids. Inverness' pre-season evidently has not gone as well as previously thought and Robertson admits his side have a lot to work on if they are to be ready for the upcoming 2017-18 season. ]]>📺

Managerless Rangers slumped to their second consecutive defeat as a last-minute Billy McKay strike helped Inverness Caledonian Thistle to a 2-1 win in the Scottish Premiership at the Caledonian Stadium

Managerless Rangers slumped to their second consecutive defeat as a last-minute Billy McKay strike helped Inverness Caledonian Thistle to a 2-1 win in the Scottish Premiership at the Caledonian Stadium

Managerless Rangers slumped to their second consecutive defeat as a last-minute Billy McKay strike helped Inverness Caledonian Thistle to a 2-1 win in the Scottish Premiership at the Caledonian Stadium (AFP Photo/Ian MacNicol)

Inverness Caledonian Thistle to sign Ebbe from Bluebell United

The striker is moving from non-league football in Ireland to full-time football in Scotland as he links up with Caley Thistle

Rangers v Inverness - Ladbrokes Scottish Premiership

GLASGOW, SCOTLAND - DECEMBER 24: A festive fan looks on during the Scottish Premier League match between Rangers and Inverness Caledonian Thistle at Ibrox Stadium on December 24, 2016 in Glasgow, Scotland. (Photo by Ian MacNicol/Getty Images)

Rangers v Inverness - Ladbrokes Scottish Premiership

GLASGOW, SCOTLAND - DECEMBER 24: A person dressed as Santa Claus is seen during the Scottish Premier League match between Rangers and Inverness Caledonian Thistle at Ibrox Stadium on December 24, 2016 in Glasgow, Scotland. (Photo by Ian MacNicol/Getty Images)

Rangers v Inverness - Ladbrokes Scottish Premiership

GLASGOW, SCOTLAND - DECEMBER 24: A person dressed as Santa Claus is seen during the Scottish Premier League match between Rangers and Inverness Caledonian Thistle at Ibrox Stadium on December 24, 2016 in Glasgow, Scotland. (Photo by Ian MacNicol/Getty Images)

Tom Rogic (R) fired home a third goal for Celtic in the 83rd minute of their match against Inverness Caledonian Thistle, on November 5, 2016

Tom Rogic (R) fired home a third goal for Celtic in the 83rd minute of their match against Inverness Caledonian Thistle, on November 5, 2016 (AFP Photo/Ozan Kose)

Aberdeen missed the chance to go level with Celtic as Inverness Caledonian Thistle roared to a 3-1 win in the Scottish Premiership.

Rooney: It would be brilliant to go to Euro 2016

The former Birmingham City and Inverness Caledonian Thistle forward is hopeful that his goal-scoring form can boost his chances of making the Ireland squad

Football - Inverness see off Stirling to reach Scottish Cup fifth round

Inverness Caledonian Thistle's coach John Hughes

Scottish Premiership Review: Hearts thrash Motherwell, Dundee into top six

Hearts thrashed Motherwell, Dundee climbed into the top six and Kilmarnock beat Inverness Caledonian Thistle in the Scottish Premiership.

Former West Ham and England striker Carlton Cole (L) made his first appearance as a substitute last week and contributed to Celtic's third goal in a 3-1 win at Inverness Caledonian Thistle

Former West Ham and England striker Carlton Cole (L) made his first appearance as a substitute last week and contributed to Celtic's third goal in a 3-1 win at Inverness Caledonian Thistle (AFP Photo/Adrian Dennis)